Decades may have passed since Three’s Company graced our screens, but its laughter still echoes in our hearts.
With unforgettable characters and side-splitting misunderstandings, this classic sitcom revolutionized the genre. Now, Joyce DeWitt reveals what really made the show a timeless treasure…
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From the hilarious antics of three single roommates to the unforgettable performances of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, Three’s Company remains a beloved staple of American television. It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since the series finale aired on ABC, yet its charm and humor still resonate today.
To illustrate how long ago Three’s Company became a hit, I just watched the intro. Seeing the shots from Santa Monica Pier during the show’s prime reminds me of how much has changed since they filmed there.
Sadly, neither John Ritter nor Suzanne Somers are with us anymore; both were taken from us far too soon. But keeping the spirit of Three’s Company alive is Joyce DeWitt, 75, who shares her vibrant stories and cherished memories from the beloved show.
”The most dear, precious, tender – and utterly unexpected – experiences that have come from working in ‘Three’s Company’ are the many, many adults who have told me that ‘Three’s Company’ was a safe haven they could count on during their teen years – for some, the only safe haven,” Joyce DeWitt told US Weekly.
Joyce DeWitt circa 1978. (Photo by Images Press/IMAGES/Getty Images)
Starring as Janet Wood alongside John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, DeWitt became a television icon and she was such a day brightener for millions.
She appeared in 171 episodes of the show between 1976 and 1984.
“It was such a gift. I mean, it was iconic. But who would have thought it?” Joyce DeWitt told The Spec. “All we were trying to do was make people laugh. When I think about it, the show was really an attempt to do a contemporary version of a 16th-century farce. It was about silliness running wild. I mean, we were talking about serious issues at times, but that was always somewhere underneath.”
“John Ritter used to say, ‘We don’t want people to just laugh but to fall over their couch laughing,’” she added. “The real issue was always the depth of friendship and the love those characters had for each other. That’s what drew people to them.”
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After Three’s Company ended, DeWitt stepped away from the spotlight for over a decade before making her comeback to acting.
Yet, no matter what she has accomplished or plans to do in the future, the vast majority will always connect her with that iconic show. And there’s a very simple reason for that, according to DeWitt.
“It was a ‘time out’ from the oppressive, challenging, difficult circumstances they were navigating in their young lives,” DeWitt says and adds:
“And, oh by the way, they say the characters also did stupid, crazy stuff that made them laugh. But it was the love, trust and support of the characters, one to the other, that made them lifelong fans.”
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When you look at unedited photos from the Three’s Company set, the camaraderie among the cast shines through, especially in the images of Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers, who played the beloved Chrissy Snow.
Both actresses delivered iconic performances, portraying young women navigating a male-dominated industry. They contributed just as much to the show’s success as John Ritter, and in those early days, their smiles in photos tell a story of friendship and collaboration.
Yet, beneath the laughter, tensions simmered. While Somers was celebrated for her role as “the dumbest blonde in America,” her fight for equal pay created rifts that would grow over time. As she demanded a 500% salary increase — from $30,000 to $150,000 — her relationship with DeWitt became strained. The set, once filled with joy, was now fraught with conflict.
If you are a baggage handler, here’s why you never should tie anything to your suitcase
Have you ever tried attaching a vibrant ribbon to the handle of your suitcase to make it stand out? So fasten your seatbelts because we have some news that may lead you to reconsider your decorating plan!
Everyone wants their luggage to be noticeable, especially when they are attempting to find it in a sea of similar cases at a busy airport. Many of us decorate our suitcases with name tags, ribbons, and humorous stickers in an attempt to deter someone else from inadvertently taking our priceless possessions.
However, John, an airport baggage handler in Dublin, claims that these well-intended decorations may end up causing more problems than they solve.
Let’s start by admitting that our bags need personal touches. Nothing is worse than finding out that your suitcase is still at the airport, hiding among the other bags, when you finally get to your ideal destination. Some people even go so far as to attach a GoPro to their luggage in order to monitor its travels!
But take John’s advise into consideration before you start bedazzling your suitcase. Although attaching ribbons to your suitcase handles could make it easier to find your belongings, there is a chance that this could go wrong. What John said was as follows:
When a person ties a ribbon to identify their luggage, it may interfere with the bag’s scanning process in the baggage claim area. Your suitcase might not make it to the flight if it can’t be scanned automatically and has to be processed manually, the man said.
Consider this: the scanner may not have been able to correctly read your bag, which is beautifully ornamented with a ribbon, causing it to miss the flight entirely. Quite not worth the chance, is it?
John advises taking out any outdated stickers from your suitcase as well. These may cause confusion during the scanning procedure, which could cause delays or luggage misplacement. Although we understand how sentimental those travel stickers are, it might be time to part with them in order to make the trip run more smoothly.
John also gave me this helpful tip: turn the wheels of your suitcase faceup. By following this easy tip, you may shield the wheels from harm and make sure your suitcase doesn’t sway into problems.
The real deal, though, especially for people who enjoy baking or have a sweet appetite, is that you should never have marzipan in your luggage. Why? According to John, Marzipan—a confection composed of sugar, egg, and ground almonds—has a density similar to some explosives. You did really read correctly. This can result in a thorough check of you and your luggage, which could cause you to miss your flight entirely.
Imagine having your luggage examined and swabbed simply for the presence of a small amount of almond paste. Holidays missed because to Marzipan are simply not worth it!
The lesson here is that, even while it could seem sensible to tie a ribbon or add a personal touch to your suitcase, it’s usually best to forego doing so. The same is true when it comes to packaging rich foods like marzipan. If you follow these suggestions, your journey should go more smoothly and without incident.
Let those ribbons stay at home and have a happy journey!
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